From 1 June 2025, the sale and supply of single-use vapes was banned in the UK.
In this post we’ll take a closer look at the legislation, and at the possible penalties for breaking the law. We’ll also discuss some steps you could take to adapt to the law if you’re running an online or offline vape shop.
If you sell vapes, either online or offline, we can help you get the specialist vape insurance you need at a price you can afford. For more information, call us on 0208 290 9080 or email ecig@anthonyjones.com.
Why Were Disposable Vapes Banned?
The UK government banned disposable vapes for a number of reasons. They describe them as “an inefficient use of critical resources”, and mention how they’re often discarded as litter. If disposable vapes are not correctly recycled, they can pollute soil, rivers, and streams. They can also carry a strong fire risk.
When Did the Disposable Vape Ban Come Into Force?
The ban came into action from 1 June 2025. The ban applies to the sale or supply of all single-use or “disposable” vapes, whether or not they contain nicotine.
Who Will Enforce The Vape Ban?
Across the four nations, this legislation will be enforced by Trading Standards, Border Force, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and the Office of Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). All of these bodies and organisations communicate and collaborate with one another, so between them they should have the whole of the UK covered.
You will still be able to sell and supply reusable vapes.
Who Does the New Vape Law Apply To?
The new law applies to anyone who sells or supplies disposable vapes in the UK. This includes:
- Online and offline vape stores.
- Importers and wholesalers.
- Vape product manufacturers.
- Any other retail store that might stock or sell vapes, such as corner shops, market stands, petrol stations, and supermarkets.
- Businesses or organisations that offer vapes as an alternative to cigarettes, such as stop-smoking services.
What Are the Penalties for Stocking or Selling Disposable Vapes After the Ban?
If you stock or sell disposable vapes after 1 June 2025, the specific penalties you’ll face will depend on whether you’re based in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, or Wales.
In England, for example, for your first offence you’ll get a stop notice, a compliance notice, and a fine of £200. The authorities will also seize any disposable vapes they find on your premises.
If you do not cease stocking or selling disposable vapes after this first offence, you will face an unlimited fine, or a prison sentence of up to two years, or both. Trading Standards may also issue you a cost recovery notice – you’ll be liable to pay back any expenses they incurred investigating you.
In Wales, the penalties are broadly similar.
In Scotland, local authorities can issue fixed penalty notices, or they can refer you to the Crown Office for further prosecution. At this point, you can face a maximum fine of £5,000, or a two-year prison sentence, or both.
In Northern Ireland, the penalties are harshest. There are no warnings, and no fixed penalty notices. You’ll instead face a fine of up to £5,000 for your first offence, and an additional fine, or a prison sentence, for any further convictions.
What To Do If You Have a Stock of Single-Use Vapes
If you still have any single-use vapes in stock after 1 June 2025, you will have to keep them separate from the rest of your stock. Label them as unsellable and remove them from your shopfloor or your online store.
You will then have to arrange for this disposable vapes to be collected and recycled.
We’ll be publishing a full guide to discontinuing and recycling your current stock of single-use vapes in the coming months. But in the meantime, read our introduction to safe vape disposal.
What Types of Vapes Can I Sell?
You can still stock and sell reusable vapes.
This includes vape products that feature:
- Refillable chambers, pods, or tanks.
- Pre-filled pods that you can replace once they’ve run out.
- Rechargeable batteries.
- Removable and replaceable coils.
However, you cannot stock or sell single stick devices in which the tank, battery, and mouthpiece are fixed together. In such devices, the liquid and the coil are not accessible, which means they’re not strictly reusable.
Similarly, if the device allows you to refill the tank and charge the battery, but it does not allow you to replace the coil, then it’s technically not a reusable vape. Once the coil burns out, you will not be able to replace it with a new one. Therefore, it will be illegal to stock and sell this kind of vape too.
Is Your Vape Shop Ready for the Law Change?
No matter where you’re based in the UK, you’ll face harsh penalties if you continue to stock and sell disposable vapes after 1 June 2025. It’s vital to ensure you’re fully compliant from day one.
If you need to rethink your vape business, now might also be a good time to take another look at your insurance. If you need to switch suppliers, or start selling different products, will your current insurance still cover you?
If you sell vapes, either online or offline, we can help you get the specialist vape insurance you need at a price you can afford. For more information, call us on 0208 290 9080 or email ecig@anthonyjones.com.
